Pakistan Defence
by Ali Inaam
Growing up in Pakistan you often hear stories of post-partition migration, heroic bravery exhibited by soldiers in wars and disapproval of the state and its affairs. By the time you hit the latter part of your teenage years, you are left with a rather confused notion of patriotism. As a result, our passion for our country is only seen in instances such as during a cricket match against India. As soon as thats over, you are ready to trade an arm and a leg for a chance to get on the next plane to anywhere-but-here, complaining that things have worsened beyond repair. I was no different.
Before I moved to Karachi three months ago, my life had followed the same general trajectory as any other guy from a middle-class family. I hoped however, that my commitment to teaching in an under resourced government school in a poor community of Kemari would give me something more to hang on to in this nation of dramatic politicians and a theatrical cricket team. My wishes were well granted.
In the first 22 years of my life, I had searched hard for national heroes to inspire me. Due to a sheer lack of competition however, I too, like everyone else my age was forced to settle for only one: Imran Khan. In the first 3 months of my teaching career however, I have found almost a hundred and fifty. Ranging from the age of 11 to 18, each of my students inspires me with their remarkable show of character, resilience and resolve.
Meet Saddam, for instance. At 17, he walks almost 20 kilometers to school every day, only because he wants to improve on his English. After school, he works till midnight at a seaside dhaba before going back home. His attendance is at an astonishing 95%.
Danish is in 6th grade and a year behind Saddam. He wakes up at sunrise every morning to ride his bicycle through the streets collecting garbage. For him the 4 hours spent in school are the highlight of his day. He doesnt quite know what he wants to be when he grows up, but he likes Math.
Uzma is the eldest girl of 9 siblings. She doubts that her parents would allow her to study after 8th grade, so she regularly requests for more homework every day to make the most of her last year in school.
Raees works in an auto workshop.
I initially came to school only to escape the beating of ustaad, he reveals. Now I want to grow up to be a mechanical engineer.
He is one of the top performers in class and his punctuality astounds me as he manages to get to school on time despite his hectic duties at the workshop.
These factual accounts are not exclusive to only these students. All of my students keep their tales of bravery as a secret behind the irremovable sparkle in their eyes.
I have found my heroes in these children. The reasons for which I consider them so and believe in them are bigger than promises of our politicians. Therefore I find it saddening to see others still looking elsewhere. So the next time you feel that all hope is lost for Pakistan and there is nothing that can convince you in its goodness, do ask yourself if you have really looked everywhere.
I Found My Heroes in the Children of Pakistan | The News Blog
Growing up in Pakistan you often hear stories of post-partition migration, heroic bravery exhibited by soldiers in wars and disapproval of the state and its affairs. By the time you hit the latter part of your teenage years, you are left with a rather confused notion of patriotism. As a result, our passion for our country is only seen in instances such as during a cricket match against India. As soon as thats over, you are ready to trade an arm and a leg for a chance to get on the next plane to anywhere-but-here, complaining that things have worsened beyond repair. I was no different.
Before I moved to Karachi three months ago, my life had followed the same general trajectory as any other guy from a middle-class family. I hoped however, that my commitment to teaching in an under resourced government school in a poor community of Kemari would give me something more to hang on to in this nation of dramatic politicians and a theatrical cricket team. My wishes were well granted.
In the first 22 years of my life, I had searched hard for national heroes to inspire me. Due to a sheer lack of competition however, I too, like everyone else my age was forced to settle for only one: Imran Khan. In the first 3 months of my teaching career however, I have found almost a hundred and fifty. Ranging from the age of 11 to 18, each of my students inspires me with their remarkable show of character, resilience and resolve.
Meet Saddam, for instance. At 17, he walks almost 20 kilometers to school every day, only because he wants to improve on his English. After school, he works till midnight at a seaside dhaba before going back home. His attendance is at an astonishing 95%.
Danish is in 6th grade and a year behind Saddam. He wakes up at sunrise every morning to ride his bicycle through the streets collecting garbage. For him the 4 hours spent in school are the highlight of his day. He doesnt quite know what he wants to be when he grows up, but he likes Math.
Uzma is the eldest girl of 9 siblings. She doubts that her parents would allow her to study after 8th grade, so she regularly requests for more homework every day to make the most of her last year in school.
Raees works in an auto workshop.
I initially came to school only to escape the beating of ustaad, he reveals. Now I want to grow up to be a mechanical engineer.
He is one of the top performers in class and his punctuality astounds me as he manages to get to school on time despite his hectic duties at the workshop.
These factual accounts are not exclusive to only these students. All of my students keep their tales of bravery as a secret behind the irremovable sparkle in their eyes.
I have found my heroes in these children. The reasons for which I consider them so and believe in them are bigger than promises of our politicians. Therefore I find it saddening to see others still looking elsewhere. So the next time you feel that all hope is lost for Pakistan and there is nothing that can convince you in its goodness, do ask yourself if you have really looked everywhere.
I Found My Heroes in the Children of Pakistan | The News Blog